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Emma M. (Goll) Johnson

1913 - 2009

Emma M. (Goll) Johnson, age 95, most recently of Onalaska, Wisconsin, a native of Klemme, died on Wednesday, September 23, 2009, at the Gunderson Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, Wisconsin, under hospice care.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, September 29, at the Immanuel Reformed United Church of Christ, in Klemme. The Rev. Donna Buckman officiated. Burial was in the Ell Township Cemetery. The Andrews Funeral Home, Klemme, was in charge of the arrangements.

The family suggests those wishing to express their sympathies through a memorial in Emma's name, consider the Immanuel Reformed UCC Church in Klemme, the Klemme Library, Opportunity Village in Clear Lake, or to their own choice.

Emma Meta Goll, the daughter of Gottlob and Augusta (Schlawin) Goll, was born on December 22, 1913, on the family farm in Avery Township, Hancock County, six miles east of Klemme. Emma was baptized at the UCC Church in Klemme in 1914, where she was also confirmed. Emma's mother died on January 30, 1921, when Emma was 7 years old. In 1922, her father married Sarah Thiemann. In her early childhood, Emma attended Hancock County rural schools. During this time of her life, one of Emma's favorite outings was to spend time at "stone hill," where she would enjoy the solitude, flowers and birds.

In 1924, her father moved the family into Klemme. Gottlob was employed as the janitor at the church and Emma would often assist him in his cleaning and maintenance duties. Emma attended the Klemme Schools and graduated from the Klemme High School with the class of 1932. Emma was active in her church and 4-H and participated in a State Fair competition.

After graduating, Emma studied at Iowa State Teacher's College and then taught rural school for 4 1/2 years east of Klemme. On February 14, 1937, Emma was united in marriage to Leroy C. Johnson at the parsonage in Klemme. Following the couple's marriage, they farmed and raised their family east of Klemme.

Their union was blessed with a son, Gordon in 1940 and two daughters, Maurine in 1942 and Melva in 1943. Emma and her husband and children moved into town in 1956. After their move to Klemme, Leroy was employed as a livestock buyer for 20 years. Emma resumed her education through the Mason City Junior College, where she received her Associate of Arts Degree in 1959. Emma continued her career as a teacher in the 4th and 5th grades at the Klemme Schools, where she taught until her retirement in 1974. She received her BA Degree from Drake University in 1970.

In addition to her love of teaching young people, Emma was a dedicated wife, mother and grandmother. She relished times spent with her family. Emma enjoyed family trips, excursions to the county fair, fishing outings with her husband, Leroy, holiday gatherings and family picnics. Emma also enjoyed caring for the livestock in their years on the farm, her pets and gardening. She was an excellent cook and her children and grand kids fondly remember "Grandma Emma's" delicious homemade apple pies, chocolate chip bars and her "roast beef" dinners.

Emma knew local history well and loved sharing the story of Klemme with her family and friends. She was a meticulous writer and rarely missed sending a card with a personal note for the special events in her family's lives. She was an avid Bible reader and had been active in church throughout her life. Emma was a loving caregiver during the 5 1/2 years of Leroy's illness prior to his death in 1989.

Emma was a dedicated supporter of the Klemme community. She served for many years on the Klemme Library Board, various church committees and in the Garden Club. After Leroy's death, she traveled with her family throughout the country. She experienced her first plane ride at the age of 72. Emma moved to the Prairie View Apartments in 1998, where she resided until 2007. At that time, due to health issues, she moved to Onalaska, Wisconsin, to be near family where she lived until her death.

Those left to cherish the memory of her life include her son, Dr. Gordon (Joan) Johnson of La Crosse, Wisconsin; her daughters, Maurine (Don) Kramer of Sun Lakes, Arizona and Melva Johnson of Cedar Falls; a sister, Elizabeth Hinrichsen of Rock Falls; nine grandchildren, Sonia Kramer (Steve) Cvitanovich, Darla Kramer, Kara Kramer (Gregg) Hudson, Susan Johnson (Dan) Leifer, Sara Johnson, Kristin Johnson (Joe) Hoeth, Scott (Heidi) Dorr, Michelle Dorr (Randy) Carris and Shawn Dorr (Mike) Krenz; 12 great-grandchildren, Megan, David, Peter, Katherine, William, Joey, Kody, Zachary, Jackson, Sophie, Emma and Zach; five nieces, Lillian (Willie) Blau, Beulah (Goll) Hummel, Arlene (Willie) Kaduce, Dee (Hinrichsen) Pearce and Sandy (Hinrichsen) Wyborny; and numerous other extended family and friends.

Emma was preceded in death by her husband, Leroy; father, Gottlob and mother, Augusta; her step-mother, Sarah Theimann; brothers, Paul and Alvin Goll; sister, Edna Willie; brothers-in-law, Carl Willie and Don Hinrichsen; sisters-in-law, Erma and Golda Goll; and nephews, Jay Hinrichsen and Lyle Goll.

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